Question:

  Bob, Could you tell me about the "7 Thunders" in Rev 10:3-4? Why were the things which the seven thunders uttered sealed up, and do we have any idea what John was told not to write?

  Answer: This is a good question, and one that probably every Bible commentator will answer differently. I can tell you what I see here, from my studies.

  To me, the "key" to this question is that I see the last 3 1/2 years of the 7 year Tribulation stated three times in the Book of Revelation, just like the three "synoptic Gospels" of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are three "views" of the same events, but from three separate view points.

  You can see from my drawing below, that the "Seals", "Trumpets", and "Vials of Wrath", are three views of the last 3 1/2 years, the "Great Tribulation", each one ending with the battle of Armageddon, and the Second Advent:

  The first "viewpoint", is the "Seals", beginning in Rev. 6:3, and ending with the Sixth Seal, in Rev 6:12.

  The second viewpoint, is the "Trumpets", beginning in Rev. 8:7, and ending with the Seventh Trumpet, in Rev 10:5-7.

  And the third view, the "Vials of Wrath", beginning in Rev. 16:2 and ending with the Seventh Vial, in Rev 16:17-21.

In Rev 10:7, John is told - "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets". I think John would naturally assume that the seventh "Trumpet" is the "end" of the vision, and time to celebrate the Second Advent, and the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ.

  I understand the "mystery" of Rev 10:7, and the reason John was told to hold off on writing what the "Seven Thunders" stated in Rev 10:4, to be that the 7 "Vials of Wrath" are still to come, in Rev. 16:2-21.

  In Rev 10:4, when John hears the "Seven Thunders" speak, and is told "write them not", the verb "grapho" (write), switches to the Greek "subjunctive mood" which could be translated "you might not want to write that yet". So, instead of celebrating the end of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent, and the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ, at the Seventh Trumpet, it is finally celebrated at the 7th Vial, in Rev 16:17 and following.

  I know this might sound "strange", and unusual, but, this is what I have come to believe, from my studies. Please let me know if you need further clarification.

  Yours "in Christ",

  Bob Jones